Jharkhand Monsoon 2026: Rainfall ends near normal with 2% deficit; Pakur records highest shortfall
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, Oct 1: The Jharkhand monsoon 2026 season ended on a near-normal note, with the state recording a marginal 2…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Oct 1: The Jharkhand monsoon 2026 season ended on a near-normal note, with the state recording a marginal 2 per cent rainfall deficit between June 1 and September 30, according to data released by the Meteorological Centre, Ranchi.
Jharkhand received 1,005.7 mm of rainfall against the seasonal normal of 1,022.9 mm, resulting in a shortfall of 17.2 mm. In meteorological terms, rainfall between +19 per cent and -19 per cent of the long-period average is considered normal.
Jharkhand monsoon rainfall: wide district-wise variations
Although the overall Jharkhand rainfall figure remained within the normal range, the district-wise distribution showed considerable variation.
The monsoon began with a deficit, but several widespread and heavy rainfall spells during the later part of the season helped narrow the gap. By the end of September, the cumulative rainfall deficit had come down to just 2 per cent.
West Singhbhum recorded the highest rainfall surplus in the state at 47 per cent, receiving 1,476 mm against its normal of 1,001.1 mm. Seraikela-Kharsawan recorded a 21 per cent surplus with 1,220.3 mm against 1,008 mm, while East Singhbhum registered a 12 per cent surplus with 1,233 mm against its normal of 1,096.2 mm.
Latehar recorded a 13 per cent surplus, receiving 1,155.5 mm against a normal of 1,018.5 mm. Lohardaga received 1,055.7 mm against 984.4 mm, a 7 per cent surplus, while Ranchi recorded an 18 per cent surplus with 1,215.7 mm against its normal of 1,027.7 mm.
Khunti and Jamtara recorded 3 per cent excess rainfall each, receiving 1,139.6 mm and 1,101 mm, respectively. Dhanbad and Ramgarh recorded 2 per cent excess rainfall each, with 1,105.7 mm and 1,040.4 mm, respectively.
Simdega recorded a marginal 1 per cent surplus, receiving 1,311.1 mm against its normal of 1,294.7 mm.
Several Jharkhand districts record rainfall deficit
Several districts ended the 2026 southwest monsoon season with varying degrees of rainfall deficit.
Dumka recorded a 6 per cent deficit, receiving 1,007.5 mm against its normal of 1,067.7 mm. Bokaro received 865.2 mm against a normal of 912.1 mm, registering a 5 per cent deficit.
Giridih recorded a 16 per cent deficit, with 814 mm against its normal of 971.3 mm, while Godda received 815.1 mm against 920.5 mm, a deficit of 11 per cent.
Sahibganj recorded a 19 per cent deficit, receiving 976.1 mm against its normal of 1,207.5 mm. Deoghar received 709 mm, 29 per cent below its normal of 999.2 mm, while Chatra recorded a 36 per cent deficit with 606.7 mm against a normal of 949 mm.
Garhwa received 693.8 mm, 24 per cent below normal, while Gumla’s 780.3 mm represented a 26 per cent deficit. Hazaribag recorded a 20 per cent deficit, while Koderma and Palamu recorded deficits of 22 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively.
Pakur records highest rainfall deficit
Pakur recorded the highest rainfall deficit in Jharkhand, at 52 per cent. The district received only 584.6 mm of rainfall against its normal of 1,224.5 mm.
The district-wise figures highlight the uneven distribution of monsoon rainfall in Jharkhand, despite the state as a whole ending the season within the normal rainfall category.
Southwest monsoon withdrawal gains momentum
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon withdrawal from Jharkhand is gaining momentum. The weather office said conditions are becoming favourable for the monsoon to withdraw from some more parts of the state during the next two to three days.
An upper-air cyclonic circulation over southeast Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Bihar, extending up to 3.1 km above mean sea level, continues to persist.
Jharkhand weather forecast
The weather is likely to remain partly cloudy, with light to moderate rain or thundershowers possible at isolated places over northeastern and adjoining northern Jharkhand.
No major change in maximum temperatures is expected during the next five days.
Mainly clear and dry conditions are likely on October 1 and 2. Isolated rain or thundershowers may return over northeastern Jharkhand on October 5, while northeastern and southeastern parts of the state may experience isolated rain or thundershowers on October 6.
